Spindle supported near field communication device

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. An example spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device includes a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFC device including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle; a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a near field interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a first axial direction associated with the axis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a second axial direction associated with the axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/642,589, filed Mar. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,632,734, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/565,381, filed Dec. 9, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,856. U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 14/642,589 and 14/565,381 are both herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID)and, in particular, to beam shaping near field communication (NFC)devices capable of concentrating near field interrogation signals at atargeted near field interrogation region within a printer.

BACKGROUND

RFID transponders, either active or passive, are typically used with anRFID transceiver or similar device to communicate information from thetransponders. In order to communicate, the transceiver exposes thetransponder to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field or signal.In the case of a passive transponder, the RF electromagnetic fieldenergizes the transponder and thereby prompts the transponder to respondto the transceiver by modulating the field in a well-known techniquecalled backscattering. In the case of an active transponder, thetransponder may respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting anindependently powered reply signal to the transceiver.

Problems can occur, however, when the RFID transceiver and RFIDtransponder are confined within the space of an interior housing, suchas that of a printer or other apparatus. For example, nearby metallichousing can cause interference and degradation of the magneticallysensitive near field patterns passed between the RFID transceiver andRFID transponder. The interior of the housing may constrain the spatialarrangement of the RFID transceiver and RFID transponder, thus limitingthe available space and locations of the near field interrogationregion. When the RFID transponder is disposed within the interior of aribbon supply roll of a printer, the near field interrogation signal maybecome attenuated when propagating through the ribbon supply roll, andthus more input power is needed for the RFID transceiver to activate theRFID tag. In yet another example, RFID transponders attached to movingelements may have degraded or intermittent communicability with the nearfield interrogation signals.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, solutions to improvesuch RFID systems have been realized and are described herein. Ingeneral, techniques are provided to improve the concentration of nearfield interrogation signals at targeted near field interrogation regionswithin an apparatus. Some embodiments may provide for a spindlesupported near field communication (NFC) device. The spindle supportedNFC device may include a spindle and a beam shaping NFC device. Thespindle may be configured to mount to a mounting surface. The beamshaping NFC device may include: ferromagnetic component including a coreportion, wherein the core portion defines a core cavity and the spindleis inserted within the core cavity; and a wire coil disposed around thecore portion, wherein the ferromagnetic component concentrates nearfield interrogation signals generated by the wire coil toward a nearfield interrogation region and away from the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, the near field interrogation signals may maintaincommunication with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag while theRFID tag rotates around the spindle and within the near fieldinterrogation region.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may further include abottom flange portion that promotes the concentration of the near fieldinterrogation signals away from the surface.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may include a topflange portion and a bottom flange portion. The wire coil may bedisposed directly around the core portion of the ferromagnetic componentbetween the top flange portion and the bottom flange portion.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may promote theconcentration of the near field interrogation signals away from thespindle.

In some embodiments, the beam shaping NFC device further may include anonconductive bobbin component including a bobbin core portion defininga bobbin cavity. The core portion of the ferromagnetic component may bedisposed within the bobbin cavity. The wire coil may be disposed aroundthe bobbin core portion.

In some embodiments, the spindle supported NFC device may furtherinclude a ribbon supply spool configured to mechanically attach with aribbon supply roll. The ribbon supply spool may rotate around thespindle.

In some embodiments, the spindle supported NFC device may furtherinclude the ribbon supply roll including an RFID tag. The near fieldinterrogation signals may maintain communication with an RFID tag whilethe RFID tag rotates around the spindle and within the near fieldinterrogation region.

In some embodiments, the ribbon supply roll may further include: aribbon supply core; a ribbon; a foil trailer attached to an end of theribbon, wherein the foil trailer is wrapped around the ribbon supplycore and the ribbon is wrapped around foil trailer. The RFID tag may bedisposed between the ribbon supply core and the foil trailer. Theferromagnetic component may concentrate the near field interrogationsignals generated by the wire coil at the near field interrogationregion such that the near field interrogation signals, after propagatingthrough the ribbon and foil trailer, satisfy an activation level of theRFID tag.

In some embodiments, the spindle supported NFC device may furtherinclude a bearing component configured to facilitate the rotation of theribbon supply spool around the spindle rod portion of the spindle. Insome embodiments, the bearing component may include: a bushing disposedbetween the exterior surface of the core cavity of the ferromagneticcomponent and the spindle; a first washer disposed around the bushing; asecond washer disposed around the spindle; and a bearing disposed aroundthe spindle between the bushing and the second washer.

In some embodiments, the ribbon supply spool may define a spool cavityand the beam shaping NFC device may be disposed within the spool cavity.The ribbon supply spool may further define a protective housing for thebeam shaping NFC device when the beam shaping NFC device is disposedwithin the spool cavity.

In some embodiments, the ribbon supply spool may include a hub portionand a spool portion. The spool portion may define a spool cavity and thespindle may be inserted within the spool cavity. The spool portion mayfurther include a fin configured to mechanically secure the ribbonsupply roll with the ribbon supply spool.

Some embodiments may provide for a printer. The printer may include ahousing and a spindle supported NFC device. The housing may define aninterior surface of the printer and the spindle supported NFC device maybe mechanically secured with the interior surface. The spindle supportedNFC device may include a spindle configured to mount to the interiorsurface of the printer; and a beam shaping NFC device including: aferromagnetic component including a core portion, wherein the coreportion defines a core cavity and the spindle is inserted within thecore cavity; and a wire coil disposed around the core portion. Theferromagnetic component may concentrate near field interrogation signalsgenerated by the wire coil toward a near field interrogation region andaway from the interior surface of the printer.

In some embodiments, the near field interrogation signals may maintaincommunication with an RFID tag located while the RFID tag rotates aroundthe spindle within the near field interrogation region.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may further include abottom flange portion. The bottom flange portion of the ferromagneticcomponent may promote the concentration of the near field interrogationsignals away from the interior surface of the printer.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may include a topflange portion and a bottom flange portion. The wire coil may bedisposed directly around the core portion of the ferromagnetic componentbetween the top flange portion and the bottom flange portion.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component may promote theconcentration of the near field interrogation signals away from thespindle.

In some embodiments, the beam shaping NFC device may further include anonconductive bobbin component including a bobbin core portion defininga bobbin cavity. The core portion of the ferromagnetic component may bedisposed within the bobbin cavity. The wire coil may be disposed aroundthe bobbin core portion.

In some embodiments, the printer may further include a ribbon supplyspool. The ribbon supply spool may be configured to mechanically attachwith a ribbon supply roll. The ribbon supply spool may rotate around thespindle. In some embodiments, the printer may further include the ribbonsupply roll. The ribbon supply roll may include an RFID tag. The nearfield interrogation signals may maintain communication with the RFID tagwhile the RFID tag rotates around the spindle and within the near fieldinterrogation region.

In some embodiments, the ribbon supply roll may further include: aribbon supply core; a ribbon; and a foil trailer attached to an end ofthe ribbon. The foil trailer may be wrapped around the ribbon supplycore and the ribbon may be wrapped around foil trailer. The RFID tag maybe disposed between the ribbon supply core and the foil trailer. Theferromagnetic component may concentrate the near field interrogationsignals generated by the wire coil at the near field interrogationregion such that the near field interrogation signals, after propagatingthrough the ribbon and foil trailer, satisfy an activation level of theRFID tag.

In some embodiments, the printer may further include a bearing componentconfigured to facilitate the rotation of the ribbon supply spool aroundthe spindle. In some embodiments, the bearing component may include: abushing disposed between the exterior surface of the core cavity of theferromagnetic component and the spindle; a first washer disposed aroundthe bushing; a second washer disposed around the spindle; and a bearingdisposed around the spindle between the bushing and the second washer.

In some embodiments, the ribbon supply spool may include a hub portionand a spool portion. The spool portion may define a spool cavity and thespindle may be inserted within the spool cavity. The spool portion mayfurther define a fin configured to mechanically secure the ribbon supplyroll with the ribbon supply spool.

Some embodiments may provide for a method of interrogating an RFID tag.The method may include: disposing a spindle supported NFC device withinan interior surface of a housing of an apparatus, wherein the spindlesupported NFC device includes a spindle, a ferromagnetic component, awire coil, and a ribbon supply spool; attaching a ribbon supply rollwith the ribbon supply spool, wherein the ribbon supply roll includesthe RFID tag; rotating the ribbon supply roll and the RFID tag aroundthe spindle; energizing a transceiver connected with the wire coil tocause the wire coil to generate near field interrogation signals; andconcentrating, with the ferromagnetic component, the near fieldinterrogation signals generated by the wire coil at a near fieldinterrogation region where the RFID tag is located and away from theinterior surface of the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the method may further include maintainingcommunication with an RFID tag via the near field interrogation signalswhile the RFID tag rotates around the spindle and within the near fieldinterrogation region.

In some embodiments, the method may further include concentrating thenear field interrogation signals generated by the wire coil away fromthe interior surface of the apparatus may include promoting theconcentration of the near field interrogation signals away from thespindle.

These characteristics as well as additional features, functions, anddetails of various embodiments are described below. Similarly,corresponding and additional embodiments are also described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described some embodiments in general terms, reference willnow be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a printer-encoder in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show top and side views of an example beamshaping NFC device in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the beam shaping NFC devicein accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of the beam shaping NFC device disposedwithin the printer-encoder in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a near field interrogation signalgenerated by the beam shaping NFC device at a near field interrogationregion in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a beam shaping NFC device in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of an example of a spindle supported NFCdevice in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a spindle supported NFC device in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a spindle supported NFC device in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a cross sectional side view of the spindle supported NFCdevice in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a ferromagnetic component in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of an example of a spindle supported NFCdevice in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 13 shows an example of a spindle supported NFC device in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodimentscontemplated herein are shown. Indeed, various embodiments may beimplemented in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an RFID printer-encoder 20 structured for printing andprogramming a series or stream of media units 24, in accordance withsome embodiments. Some or all of the media units 24 may includetransponders. Media units 24 may be labels, cards, etc, that are carriedby a substrate liner or web 22 as shown.

Printer-encoder 20 includes several components, such as a housing 21,printhead 28, a platen roller 29, a feed path 30, a peeler bar 32, amedia exit path 34, rollers 36, a carrier exit path 38, a take-up spool40, a ribbon supply roll 41, a transceiver 42, a controller 45, a nearfield coupler 50, and a beam shaping NFC device 60. The web 22 isdirected along the feed path 30 and between the printhead 28 and theplaten roller 29 for printing indicia onto the media units 24.

Printer-encoder 20 may be configured to provide thermal transferprinting. For example, housing 21 may define an interior surface of theprinter-encoder 20. A ribbon supply spool 70 may be mounted to thehousing 21 on the interior surface. The ribbon supply roll 41 may bedisposed on the ribbon supply spool 70 attached to the housing 21.Ribbon supply roll 41 provides a thermal ribbon that extends along apath (not shown to avoid overcomplicating FIG. 1) such that a portion ofthe ribbon is positioned between the printhead 28 and the media units24. The printhead 28 heats up and presses a portion of the ribbon ontothe media units 24 to print indicia. The take-up spool 40 is configuredto receive and spool the used ribbon.

Ribbon supply roll 41 may include an RFID tag 62 that can beinterrogated by the beam shaping NFC device 60 for purposes such asidentification of the ribbon supply roll, a ribbon supply roll type, oneor more characteristics of the ribbon supply roll, and/or one or moreprint control parameters suitable for the ribbon supply roll. The beamshaping NFC device 60 may be further configured to encode the RFID tag62. For example, amount data defining the amount of ribbon left on theribbon supply roll 41 may be encoded (e.g., into a memory of the RFIDtag 62) such that if the ribbon supply roll were to be removed and thenlater reinstalled (e.g., onto printer-encoder 20 or a different device)the amount data may be retrieved from the ribbon supply roll 41 and usedby the printer to determine an estimate lifetime or replacement time ofthe ribbon supply 41 and/or one or more of the components (e.g., ribbon68) of the ribbon supply roll 41.

Printer-encoder 20 may be further configured to use the amount data togenerate ribbon supply roll orders. For example, controller 45 may beconfigured provide the amount data to a remote (e.g., cloud) serverconfigured to monitor and generate ribbon supply roll orders based onamount data received from printer-encoders. In another example,controller 45 may be configured to perform the monitoring and generatethe ribbon supply orders.

In some embodiments, ribbon supply roll 41 may further include a ribbonsupply core 64, a (e.g., foil) trailer 66, and a ribbon 68. The ribbonsupply core 64 may be a hollow cylindrical shape to provide structuralsupport for the ribbon supply roll 41 and to interface with the (e.g.,rod-shaped) ribbon supply spool 70. The ribbon supply core 64 may becardboard, plastic, or other nonconductive material. The foil trailer 66may be attached to an end of the ribbon 68. The foil trailer 66 may bewrapped around the ribbon supply core 64, and the ribbon 68 may bewrapped around the foil trailer 66. RFID tag 62 may be disposed betweenthe ribbon supply core 64 and the foil trailer 66.

Printer-encoder 20 may be configured to provide for the wirelessinterrogation of the RFID tag 62 of the ribbon supply roll 41 with thebeam shaping near field communication (NFC) device 60. In FIG. 1, thebeam shaping NFC device 60 is shown in outline to indicate that beamshaping NFC device 60 is disposed behind the ribbon supply roll 41proximate the interior surface of housing 21. The RFID tag 62 mayinclude a transponder configured to provide a tag identifier and/orother information stored within the RFID tag 62 (e.g., in a memory) tothe printer-encoder 20. The tag identifier may be different fordifferent ribbon supply rolls 41 and/or different ribbon supply rolltypes, and thus may be used by the printer-encoder 20 to configure printcontrol parameters suitable for the ribbon supply roll 41 or ribbonsupply roll type. The ribbon supply roll 41 may be disposed at theinterior side of the housing 21 proximate to the beam shaping NFC device60 such that the RFID tag 62 is located at a near field interrogationregion of the beam shaping NFC device 60.

Some example print control parameters may include sensitivity, darknessand print speed. The sensitivity parameter is associated with thetemperature of the printing elements of the printhead 28. The darknessparameter is associated with the amount of time that the printingelements are activated or the amount of energy used for the same amountof time. The print speed is associated with the rate that the ribbon 68is passed through the printhead 28. In general, different ribbon supplyroll types may have different print media characteristics suitable fordifferent print control parameters. Printer-encoder 20 may include amemory configured to store (and/or may access separate data storage,such as through a network) of tag identifiers, each tag identifierassociated with a set of print control parameters most suitable forribbon supply roll 41 identified by the tag identifier. As such, inresponse to receiving the tag identifier via the response signal fromRFID tag 62 of the ribbon supply roll 41, controller 45 may beconfigured to access the associated print control parameters from thememory, and to configure the components of the print-encoder 20 forprint operation in accordance with the print control parameters. In someembodiments, controller 45 may be further configured to monitor thestatus of the ribbon supply roll 41. For example, the revolutions of theribbon supply spool 70 may be recorded by controller 45 and used tomonitor the lifespan and quality of the ribbon supply roll 41. In someembodiments, the tag identifier may be unique to each ribbon supply roll41, and thus controller 45 may also track the placement of particularribbon supply rolls 41 within printer-encoder 20.

As discussed in greater detail below, beam shaping NFC device 60 may beconfigured to generate near field interrogation signals or patterns thatare concentrated in the near field interrogation region (e.g., within 10cm or less) of the beam shaping NFC device 60. The near fieldinterrogation signals or patterns, as used herein, refers to electric ormagnetic field signals or patterns, rather than the electromagneticfield patterns associated with conventional far field RFID technologies.The near field interrogation signals may be received by RFID tag 62disposed at the near field interrogation region. RFID tag 62 may includeone or more passive or active RFID transponders. For a passivetransponder, the near field interrogation signals induce current withinthe RFID tag 62 that causes backscattering of a response signal to thebeam shaping NFC device 60. The RFID tag 62 may be configured to providethe tag identifier and/or other information stored within thetransponder via the backscattering. For an active transponder, the RFIDtag 62 may be configured to power (e.g., via a battery and/or otherpower source separate from the interrogation signals) the broadcast thetag identifier and/or other information, such as in response toreceiving an interrogation signal from the beam shaping NFC device 60.Furthermore, the components of the beam shaping NFC device 60 and theirarrangement may provide for reduced degradation of the near fieldinterrogation signals when the beam shaping NFC device 60 is disposed atthe (e.g., metallic) interior surface of the printer-encoder 20 definedby housing 21.

The transceiver 42 is configured for generating and transmitting RFcommunication signals that are broadcasted by the beam shaping NFCdevice 60. The transceiver 42 and the beam shaping NFC device 60 will bereferred to collectively as forming at least part of a communicationsystem. The system may be configured to communicate using any suitablecommunication interface, such as the serial peripheral interface (SPI).The controller 45 may be connected with the transceiver 42 and may beconfigured to energize the transceiver 42 to cause the beam shaping NFCdevice 60 to generate the near field interrogation signals. Thecommunication system transmits the near field interrogation signal orpattern in proximity to the near field interrogation region to establisha mutual coupling between the transceiver 42 and the RFID tag 62. Thetransceiver 42 may also receive the response signal from beam shapingNFC device 60, and may provide the response signal to the controller 45to identify the ribbon supply roll 41 and/or ribbon supply roll type,set suitable print control parameters, among other things.

In general, the transceiver is a device configured to generate, process,and receive electrical communication signals. One in the art wouldappreciate that similar devices such as transmitters, receivers, ortransmitter-receivers may be used within this invention. “Transceiver”as used in the present application and the appended claims refers to thedevices noted above and to any device capable of generating, processing,or receiving electrical and/or electromagnetic signals.

After printing, as shown in FIG. 1, the media unit web 22 proceeds tothe media exit path 34 where the media units are typically individuallyremoved from the web 22. For example, in one embodiment, pre-cut mediaunits 24 may be simply peeled from the web 22 using the peeler bar 32 asshown. In other embodiments, a group of multiple media units may bepeeled together and transmitted downstream to an in-line cutter forsubsequent separation (not shown). Various other known media unitremoval techniques may be used as will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art. In applications, such as the depicted embodiment, inwhich the media units 24 are supported by a web 22, the web 22 may beguided out of the printer-encoder 20 along the carrier exit path 38 byrollers 36 or other devices.

The transceiver 42, or a separate transceiver such as transceiver 54,may be configured for generating and transmitting RF communicationsignals that are broadcasted by the near field coupler 50 locatedproximate the media feed path 30. Thus transceiver 42 (or transceiver54) and the near field coupler 50 may also form at least a part of acommunication system that transmits a near field electromagnetic signalor pattern in proximity to a transponder operating region. Thecommunication system may be configured to establish a mutual couplingbetween the transceiver and a targeted transponder of a media unit thatis located in the transponder operating region. As the media web 22proceeds along the media feed path 30 through the transponder operatingregion, data may be read from and written to transponders disposed onmedia units 24 carried by the web 22. Additional details regarding nearfield couplers and communications between printer-encoder 20 andtransponders, applicable in some embodiments, are discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,306,474, titled “Multi-element RFID Coupler,” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. The beam shaping NFC device60 is configured to target RFID tag 62 of the ribbon supply roll 41 forinterrogation, and to avoid interrogation of the non-targeted RFIDtransponders of the media units located within the interior of thehousing 21 by concentrating the near field interrogation signals at thenear field interrogation region of the beam shaping NFC device 60. Insome embodiments, a printer including beam shaping NFC device 60 may beindependent of any media unit encoding and/or interrogation. Here, theprinter may not include components such as transceiver 54 and near fieldcoupler 50.

In some embodiments, the printer-encoder 20 may further include a beamshaping NFC device configured to interrogate a media unit supply roll.For example, the media unit supply roll may be mounted to the housing 21and may include an RFID tag, as discussed herein for the ribbon supplyroll 41 and RFID tag 62. Through the beam shaping NFC device,printer-encoder 20 may be further configured to read and write data tothe media unit supply roll for purposes such as identification of themedia unit supply roll, a media unit supply roll, one or morecharacteristics of the media unit supply roll, one or more print controlparameters suitable for the media unit supply roll. In another example,the beam shaping NFC device may be further configured to encode the RFIDtag of the media unit supply roll, such as with data defining the amountof unused media units remaining on the media unit supply roll.

FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show top and side views of an example beamshaping NFC device 60 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3 showsa cross sectional side view of the beam shaping NFC device 60. Whilebeam shaping NFC device 60 is discussed herein as being included inprinter-encoder 20, it may also be used in other contexts where it isadvantageous to concentrate near field interrogation signals within anear field interrogation region (e.g., to avoid undesired interrogationof any nearby, non-targeted transponders outside of the near fieldinterrogation region) that are also directed away from nearby conductivecomponents (e.g., metallic housing 20) that would otherwise causeinterference or detuning of the interrogation signals (and/or responsesignals).

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the beam shaping NFC device 60may include a substrate 202, a ferromagnetic component 204, a wire coil206, a bobbin component 208, and a connector 210. The substrate 202defines a first substrate surface 212 (as shown in FIG. 3) and a secondsubstrate surface 214 opposite the first substrate surface 212. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, the beam shaping NFC device 60 may bedisposed within the printer-encoder 20 such that the first substratesurface 212 faces the interior side of the printer-encoder 20 (e.g.,defined by housing 21) and the second substrate surface 214 faces thenear field interrogation region 502 (as shown in FIG. 5) of the beamshaping NFC device 60. Substrate 202 may be formed of a nonconductivematerial such as plastic, fiberglass, phenolics, printed circuit boardmaterial, among other things.

As shown in FIG. 3, ferromagnetic component 204 includes a core portion216 and a bottom flange portion 218. The core portion 216 and the bottomflange portion 218 may be formed of a single ferromagnetic piece, oralternatively, may be separate pieces that are joined together. The coreportion 216 and the bottom flange portion 218 may each include acylindrical shape, with core portion 216 including a smaller radius thanthe bottom flange portion 218 to define the flange structure. However,other shapes for the core portion 216 and/or bottom flange portion 218may also be used. The ferromagnetic component 204 may be a highfrequency (e.g., 13.56 MHZ range) transformer core material, such as K1ferrite. The ferromagnetic component 204 may be mechanically attachedwith the second substrate surface 214 via the bottom flange portion 218,such as by a nonconductive adhesive material.

The wire coil 206 is disposed around the core portion 216 of theferromagnetic component 204, such as in the region defined between thebottom flange portion 218 of the ferromagnetic component 204 and thebobbin top flange portion 220 of the bobbin component 208 (discussed ingreater detail below). The wire coil 206 may be connected with thetransceiver 42 via the contacts 210. When the controller 45 energies thetransceiver 42, an interrogation signal is generated by the transceiver42 and transmitted to the wire coil 206 via the contacts 210. Theresulting current caused by the interrogation signal that travelsthrough the wire coil 206 induces near field patterns. The ferromagneticcomponent 204 is structured to direct and/or shape the (e.g., magnetic)field pattern generated by the wire coil by causing the field patterngenerated by the wire coil 206 to be less concentrated in the regions ofthe ferromagnetic component 204, and more concentrated in the otherregions of the field pattern generated by the wire coil 206 (e.g., atthe interrogation region of the beam shaping device 60).

The beam shaping NFC device 60 may further include the bobbin component208 to provide a nonconductive separation between the ferromagneticcomponent 204 and the wire coil 206. The bobbin component 208 may beformed of a nonconductive material, such as a polymer material. Withreference to FIG. 3, the bobbin component 208 may include a bobbin coreportion 220 and a bobbin top flange portion 222. The bobbin core portion220 defines a cavity configured to receive the core portion 216 of theferromagnetic component 204. Where the core portion 216 includes acylindrical shape, the cavity of the bobbin core portion 220 may includea corresponding cylindrical shape, and the core portion 216 of theferromagnetic component 204 may be mechanically secured with the bobbincore portion 220 (e.g., via a nonconductive adhesive material). Oncesecured, the bobbin top flange portion 222 and the bottom flange portion218 of the ferromagnetic component 204 are disposed at opposite ends ofthe core portion 216 of the ferromagnetic component 204. The wire coil206 may be disposed around the bobbin core portion 220 between thebobbin top flange portion 222 and the bottom flange portion 218 of theferromagnetic component 204.

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of beam shaping NFC device 60 disposedwithin printer-encoder 20 in accordance with some embodiments. Here,ribbon supply roll 41 has been removed from ribbon supply spool 70,visually exposing the beam shaping NFC device 60 (e.g., shown in outlinebehind ribbon supply roll 41 in FIG. 1). The printer-encoder 20 mayinclude a holder 72 mounted to the interior surface of the housing 21and configured to removably receive the beam shaping NFC device 60. Theholder 72 may be formed of a conductive material and may secure the beamshaping NFC device 60 to housing 21.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a near field interrogation patterngenerated by the beam shaping NFC device 60 at a near fieldinterrogation region, in accordance with some embodiments. As discussedabove, the beam shaping NFC device 60 may be secured with the interiorsurface of the housing 21 such that the second substrate surface 214 ofthe beam shaping NFC device 60 faces perpendicular to an outer surfaceof the RFID tag 62. The beam shaping NFC device 60 and the RFID tag 62oriented 90 degrees with respect to each other provides a perpendicularmutual coupling between the beam shaping NFC device 60 and the RFID tag62.

The ferromagnetic component 204 concentrates the near fieldinterrogation signals generated by the wire coil 206 at the near fieldinterrogation region 502 (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5). Forexample, the core portion 216 of the ferromagnetic component 204concentrates the flux of the near field concentrations away from theinterior of wire coil 206 where the core potion 216 is located.Furthermore, bottom flange portion 218 of the ferromagnetic component204 concentrates the flux of the near field concentrations away from themetallic interior surface of the printer-encoder 20. The energy whichhas been concentrated away or captured from these regions aretransferred or projected to the near field interrogation region 502,thereby enhancing the strength of the near field interrogation signal atthe desired near field interrogation region 502 and reducing thestrength at the undesirable locations, such as locations near conductivecomponents of the printer-encoder 20.

The near field concentrations propagate through the ribbon 68 and thefoil trailer 66 (not shown in FIG. 5 to avoid overcomplicating thedrawing) and to the RFID tag 62 disposed between the ribbon supply core64 and the foil trailer 66. Advantageously, the concentration of thenear field interrogation signals at the near field interrogation region502 allows for the near field interrogation signals to satisfy (e.g.,exceed or meet) the activation level of the RFID tag 62 after the nearfield interrogation signals have propagated through the ribbon supplycore 64 and the foil trailer 66 at a lower power level than wouldotherwise be possible. Therefore, the amount of power that is needed bythe beam shaping NFC device 60 for effective interrogation of the RFIDtag 62 within the ribbon supply roll 41 is reduced by the ferromagneticcomponent 204 via the concentration of the near field pattern at thenear field interrogation region 502 and reduction of the near fieldpattern outside of the near field interrogation region 502

Furthermore, where the interior surface of the printer-encoder 20 ismetallic, the ferromagnetic component 204 concentrates the near fieldinterrogation signals generated by the wire coil away from the interiorsurface (e.g., facing the first substrate surface 212 of the housing),thereby reducing degradation of the near field interrogation signalswhen the beam shaping NFC device 60 is disposed at and/or near themetallic interior surface of the printer-encoder as shown in FIGS. 1 and4. As such, via the shaping of the field pattern, the ferromagneticcomponent 204 concentrates the near field interrogation signalsgenerated by the wire coil 206 toward the near field interrogationregion (e.g., where the RFID tag 62 of the ribbon supply roll 41 isdisposed) and away from the (e.g., conductive) interior surface of thehousing 62.

The wire coil that generates the near field patterns is not limited tothe coiled wiring shown in FIGS. 2A-5. In some embodiments, the wirecoil 206 may be formed as wire traces on a printed circuit board (PCB)substrate. FIG. 6 shows an example beam shaping NFC device 600 inaccordance with some embodiments. The wire trace coil 602 may define acenter region where a ferromagnetic component 604 may be disposedthrough the PCB substrate 606. The discussion above regardingferromagnetic component 204 may be applicable to ferromagnetic component604. The PCB 606 may include an aperture configured to receive the coreportion of the ferromagnetic component 604. The bottom flange portion610 of the ferromagnetic component 604 may be disposed at the oppositesurface of PCB substrate 606. In some embodiments, printer-encoderelectronics 608 may also be disposed on the same PCB substrate 606, suchintegrated circuitry configured to perform the functionality of one ormore of transceiver 42 or controller 45 as discussed above.

Spindle Supported NFC Device

Some embodiments may provide for a spindle supported near fieldcommunication (NFC) device. A spindle supported NFC device may include abeam shaping NFC device integrated with the ribbon supply spool. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, the spindle supported NFC device maybe configured to generate near field interrogation signals that maintaincommunication with an RFID tag of a ribbon supply roll while the RFIDtag and the ribbon supply roll rotate around the spindle supported NFCdevice.

FIGS. 7-10 show examples of a spindle supported NFC device 700 inaccordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 7, which showsan exploded view, the spindle supported NFC device 700 may include aspindle 702, a beam shaping NFC device 704, a ribbon supply spool 706,and a bearing component 708.

The spindle 702 may include a spindle rod portion 714 and a spindle baseportion 716. The spindle rod portion 714 may provide an axis of rotationfor the ribbon supply spool 706. A ribbon supply roll with RFID tag(e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) may be mechanically secured with the ribbonsupply spool 706. As such, the spindle rod portion 714 may furtherprovide an axis rotation for the ribbon supply roll and RFID tag. Thespindle base portion 716 may be configured to mount to a mountingsurface, such as an internal surface of a housing of a printer or otherapparatus. For example, spindle base portion 716 may be mechanicallysecured with the mounting surface based on screws, bolts, adhesive, orany other suitable technique.

Beam shaping NFC device 704 may include a ferromagnetic component 710and a wire coil 712. Some or all of the discussion above regarding beamshaping NFC device 60 may be applicable to beam shaping NFC device 704,such as the material characteristics discussed above. With reference toFIG. 8, ferromagnetic component 710 may include a core portion 802defining a core cavity. The core cavity may be structured to receivespindle rod portion 714 of spindle 702 such that spindle 702 is insertedthrough the core cavity.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component 710 may further includeone or more flange portions, such as a bottom flange portion 804 and/ora top flange portion 806. The core portion 802, the bottom flangeportion 804, and/or the top flange portion 806 may be formed of a singleferromagnetic piece, or alternatively, may be separate pieces that arejoined together. The core portion 802, the bottom flange portion 804,and the top flange portion 806 may each include a cylindrical shape,with core portion 802 including a smaller radius than the flangeportions to define the flange structure. Alternatively, in someembodiments, ferromagnetic component 710 may include a cylindricalshape, or other non-flanged shape. A bobbin component 730 is omittedfrom FIG. 8, and in some embodiments may be omitted from the spindlesupported NFC device as discussed in greater detail below in connectionwith FIGS. 11-13.

Returning to FIG. 7, the wire coil 712 may be disposed around the coreportion of ferromagnetic component 710. Similar to wire coil 206discussed above, wire coil 712 may be connected with the transceiver 42.When the controller 45 energizes the transceiver 42, an interrogationsignal is generated by the transceiver 42 and transmitted to the wirecoil 712. The resulting current caused by the interrogation signal thattravels through the wire coil 712 induces near field patterns. Theferromagnetic component 710 is structured to direct and/or shape the(e.g., magnetic) field pattern generated by the wire coil 712 by causingthe field pattern generated by the wire coil 712 to be less concentratedin the regions of the ferromagnetic component 710, and more concentratedin the other regions of the field pattern generated by the wire coil712. For example, the near field interrogation signals may beconcentrated toward a near field interrogation region of the beamshaping device 704, and away from the mounting surface to which spindle702 may be mounted.

In some embodiments, the beam shaping NFC device 704 may further includea bobbin component 730 to provide a nonconductive separation between theferromagnetic component 710 and the wire coil 712. The bobbin component714 may be formed of a nonconductive material, such as a polymermaterial. With reference to FIG. 7, the bobbin component 730 may includea bobbin core portion. The bobbin core portion defines a bobbin cavityconfigured to receive the ferromagnetic component 710. Where the coreportion of the ferromagnetic component 710 includes a cylindrical shape,the bobbin cavity may include a corresponding cylindrical shape, and thecore portion 216 of the ferromagnetic component 204 may be mechanicallysecured with the bobbin core portion (e.g., via a nonconductive adhesivematerial). In some embodiments, the bobbin component 730 may furtherinclude a bobbin top flange portion and/or a bottom flange portion.Here, the wire coil 712 may be disposed around the bobbin core portionbetween the bobbin top flange portion and the bottom flange portion ofbobbin component 730 as shown in FIG. 7.

The ribbon supply spool 706 may be configured to mechanically attachwith a ribbon supply roll, and rotate about the spindle 702, therebyproviding for the rotation of the ribbon supply roll and the RFID tagattached with the ribbon supply roll. The ribbon supply spool 706 mayinclude a hub portion 718 and a spool portion 732. The spool portion 732and hub portion 718 may define a spool cavity 808 (as shown in FIG. 8)and the spindle rod portion 714 of the spindle 702 may be insertedwithin the spool cavity 808. Spool cavity 808 may further define aregion in which the beam shaping NFC device 704 may be inserted, therebydefining a protective housing for the beam shaping NFC device 704 whendisposed within the spool cavity 808. In some embodiments, the spoolportion 706 may further define a fin 734 configured to mechanicallysecure the ribbon supply roll with the ribbon supply spool 706. In someembodiments, the spool portion 732 may be made of a (e.g., conductive)metallic material and the hub portion 718 may be made of (e.g.,non-conductive) plastic material.

FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, show examples of a partially assembledspindle supported NFC device and an assembled spindle supported NFCdevice, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, thespool portion 706 may be slidably attached with spindle 702 such as tobe capable of sliding via the spindle 702 toward the beam shaping NFCdevice 704. As shown in FIG. 10, when spool portion 706 is fullyassembled with the beam shaping NFC device 704, the beam shaping NFCdevice 704 may be covered and protected from exposure.

Returning to FIG. 7, the spindle supported NFC device 700 may furtherinclude a bearing component 708 configured to facilitate rotation of theribbon supply spool 706 around the axis defined by the spindle rodportion 732 of the spindle 702. Bearing component 708 may include abushing 722 disposed between the core cavity of the ferromagneticcomponent 710 and the spindle rod portion 714 of the spindle 702.Bushing 722 may include a body portion and a flange portion as shown inFIG. 7. A washer 724 may be disposed on the body portion of the bushing722. A bearing 726 may be disposed on the spindle rod portion 714proximate to the flange portion of bushing 722. A washer 728 may bedisposed on the spindle rod portion 714 proximate to the bearing 726,and on the opposite side of the bearing 726 relative to the flangeportion of bushing 722.

The structure and features of the spindle supported NFC device 700 mayallow the spindle supported NFC device 700 to be particularly adaptedfor near field communication with an RFID tag. With reference to FIG. 8,showing a cross sectional view, spindle supported NFC device 700 maydefine a near field interrogation region 810. An RFID tag (not shown inFIG. 8 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing) of a ribbon supply roll814 may be secured to the spindle supported NFC device 700, such as foruse during printer operation.

The near field interrogation region 810 may be defined based on thelocations where the near field interrogation signals 812 of the beamshaping NFC device 702 are capable of coupling with and interrogatingthe RFID tag. Although two dotted boxes are shown in the cross sectionalview of FIG. 8, the near field interrogation region 810 may be asubstantially continuous region at the periphery of the beam shaping NFCdevice 702. Throughout the rotation of the RFID tag, the RFID tag may bemaintained within the near field interrogation region 810.Advantageously, the near field interrogation signals generated by thespindle supported NFC device can thus maintain communication (e.g.,without blind spots and/or intermittent signal loss) with the RFID tagas the RFID tag rotates around the spindle rod portion 714 of thespindle 702.

As discussed above, the ferromagnetic component 710 may concentrate nearfield interrogation signals generated by the wire coil 712 toward and/orat the near field interrogation region 810. For example, the flux 1 ofthe near field interrogation signals may be defined by Equation 1:Φ=IN/(R _(o) +R _(i)),

where Φ is the magnetic flux (Webers), IN is the number of Ampere-turnsof the wire coil, R_(o) is the reluctance or magnetic resistance ofregion outside of the wire coil (e.g., air), and R_(i) is the reluctanceor magnetic resistance for the region inside of the wire coil (e.g., ofthe ferromagnetic core 710). Based on Equation 1, the flux Φ of the nearfield interrogation signals is increased based on the reluctance R_(i)of the ferromagnetic component 710 being smaller than the reluctanceR_(o) of regions outside of the coil (e.g., where a ferromagneticcomponent is not present), thereby concentrating the near fieldinterrogation signals generated by the wire coil 712 toward and/or atthe near field interrogation region 810. The increased flux Φ of thenear field interrogation signals may help ensure that near fieldconcentrations, after propagating through a ribbon and/or a foil trailerof the ribbon supply roll 814, satisfy an activation level of the RFIDtag.

The ferromagnetic component 710 may be further configured to shield thenear field interrogation signals away from various nearby components mayotherwise cause interference and degradation of the magneticallysensitive near field patterns passed between the spindle supported NFCdevice and RFID tag. For example and with reference to FIG. 8, thespindle rod portion 714 of spindle 702 may be a metallic material thatis shielded from the near field interrogation signals 812 by theferromagnetic component 710.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic component 710 may be configuredto concentrate the near field interrogation signals away from thespindle base portion 716 of spindle 702 and/or the (e.g., metallic)mounting surface to which the spindle base portion 716 is mounted. Forexample, the ferromagnetic component 710 may further include a bottomflange portion 804 and/or a top flange portion 806 as shown in FIGS. 8and 11. The bottom flange portion 804 of the ferromagnetic component 710may promote the concentration of the near field interrogation signalsaway from spindle base portion 716 and/or the mounting surface.Similarly, the top flange portion 806 of the ferromagnetic component 710may promote the concentration of the near field interrogation signalsaway from various components located above the ferromagnetic component710 that may be metallic or otherwise include metallic elements, such asbearing component 708. For example, bushing 722, washer 728, and/orbearing 726 (e.g., the ball bearings) may be of a metallic material. Insome embodiments, a nonconductive washer 724 may be disposed between theferromagnetic component 710 and the metallic bushing 722 to electricallyisolate the ferromagnetic component 710 away from the metallic portionsof the bearing component 708.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a ferromagnetic component 1100 in accordancewith some embodiments. The ferromagnetic component 1100 is an example ofa ferromagnetic component that may be included within a spindlesupported NFC device. The ferromagnetic component 1100 may include acore portion 1102, a top flange portion 1104, a bottom flange portion1106, and a core cavity 1108.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of an example of a spindle supported NFCdevice 1200 including the ferromagnetic component 1100, and FIG. 13shows an assembled view of the spindle supported NFC device 1200, inaccordance with some embodiments. Spindle supported NFC device 1200 mayinclude a spindle 1202, a beam shaping NFC device 1204, a ribbon supplyspool 706, and a bearing component 1208. The beam shaping NFC device1204 may include a flanged ferromagnetic component 1100 and a wire coil1212 wound around the core portion 1102 between the top flange portion1104 and the bottom flange portion 1106. Unlike the beam shaping NFCdevice 704 of FIG. 7, however, beam shaping NFC device 1200 does notinclude a bobbin component. The bearing component 1208 may include abushing 1222 and a bearing 1226. A single washer 1228 is disposed on thespindle rod portion 1214 of the spindle 1202 proximate to the bearing1226.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefitof the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings. For example, the ferromagnetic core discussedherein is particularly adapted for concentrating near fieldinterrogation signals based on the relative positions of the beamshaping NFC device and the RFID tag, but other ferromagnetic corestructures may be appropriate based on beam shaping need. In anotherexample, the beam shaping NFC device discussed herein may be used withindevices or apparatuses other than printer-encoders, such as non-encodingprinters, mobile devices, desktop devices, among other things. In yetanother example, the beam shaping NFC device may be used during ribbonsupply roll manufacturing to write and verify part numbers, such as theribbon supply type being wound to a (e.g., universal) ribbon supplycore. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments andimplementations are not to be limited to the specific exampleembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A spindle supported near field communication(NFC) device comprising: a spindle configured to mount to a mountingsurface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFCdevice including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle;a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a nearfield interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion todirect the near field interrogation signal in directions extendingradially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogationsignal from extending in a first axial direction associated with theaxis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near fieldinterrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axisand to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in asecond axial direction associated with the axis, wherein the coreportion and the coil disposed around the core portion are positionedbetween the first ferromagnetic flange portion and the secondferromagnetic flange portion.
 2. A spindle supported NFC device of claim1, wherein the core portion defines a cavity to receive a rod of thespindle, and the rod of the spindle defines the axis of rotation.
 3. Aspindle supported NFC device of claim 1, further comprising a ribbonsupply spool defining a cavity to receive the beam shaping NFC device,the ribbon supply spool to carry the ribbon supply roll and to rotateabout the axis of the spindle.
 4. A spindle supported NFC device ofclaim 3, wherein the ribbon supply spool includes a portion capable ofsliding toward the beam shaping NFC device.
 5. A spindle supported NFCdevice of claim 1, wherein the near field interrogation signal is tomaintain communication with a radio frequency tag while the radiofrequency tag revolves about the axis of rotation, the radio frequencytag affixed to a ribbon supply roll mounted to the spindle supported NFCdevice.
 6. A media processing device comprising: a housing; a spindle toreceive a ribbon supply roll having a radio frequency tag, wherein theradio frequency tag is to revolve about an axis of the spindle; and abeam shaping near field communication (NFC) device including: aferromagnetic core portion; wire disposed around the core portion togenerate a near field interrogation signal; and first and secondferromagnetic flange portions, wherein core portion and the wiredisposed around the core portion are positioned between the first andsecond ferromagnetic flange portions, the first and second ferromagneticflange portions configured to: direct the near field interrogationsignal in directions extending radially away from the axis of thespindle; and restrict the near field interrogation signal from extendingaxially along the spindle.
 7. A media processing device as defined inclaim 6, wherein the spindle is mounted to an interior surface of themedia processing device, and the first flange portion is configured torestrict the near field interrogation signal from extending axiallyalong the spindle toward the interior surface of the printer.
 8. A mediaprocessing device as defined in claim 6, wherein the second flangeportion is configured to restrict the near field interrogation signalfrom extending axially along the spindle away from the interior surfaceof the printer.
 9. A media processing device as defined in claim 6,wherein the core portion defines a cavity to receive a rod of thespindle, and the rod of the spindle defines the axis of the spindle. 10.A media processing device as defined in claim 6, further comprising aribbon supply spool defining a cavity to receive the beam shaping NFCdevice, the ribbon supply spool to carry the ribbon supply roll and torotate about the axis of the spindle.
 11. A media processing device asdefined in claim 10, wherein the ribbon supply spool includes a portioncapable of sliding toward the beam shaping NFC device.
 12. A mediaprocessing device as defined in claim 6, wherein the near fieldinterrogation signal is to maintain communication with the radiofrequency tag while the radio frequency tag revolves about the axis ofthe spindle.
 13. A media processing device as defined in claim 6,wherein the core portion defines a core cavity, and further comprising abushing disposed between the core cavity and a rod portion of thespindle.
 14. A media processing device as defined in claim 6, furthercomprising a printhead.
 15. A media processing device as defined inclaim 6, further comprising a transceiver in communication with thewire.